On Saturday 3 August, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) faced the USA Women's National Team in the quarterfinals of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024) at Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

Having used all their field players in the group stage, Japan opted for a 3-4-3 formation, making five changes from their third group match against Nigeria. YAMASHITA Ayaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa) started in goal with a backline of KOGA Toko (Feyenoord), KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma) and MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma). KITAGAWA Hikaru (INAC Kobe Leonessa) and MORIYA Miyabi (INAC Kobe Leonessa) were deployed on the flanks, while HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) played as holding midfielders. SEIKE Kiko (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) and FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) were the two wingers, while TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) played as a central striker.

The USA, who have won more Olympic Games and FIFA Women's World Cups than any other country, attacked with a top-three attack that scored nine goals, the most of any team in the tournament, and showed great dynamism all over the field to threaten the goal. However, Japan's compact defence kept them out of the box by denying them space.

In the 25th minute, Seike won a free kick just outside the penalty area, in which Hasegawa whipped in a sharp cross towards the nearside but failed to connect with anyone inside the box. The USA responded with a close opportunity created in the 30th minute, when Sophia SMITH fired a shot off a counterattack, but Kumagai was there to limit the angle.

Japan's next chance came in the 35th minute when Seike delivered a pass to Tanaka, who made a quick turn inside the box before unleashing a shot that was saved by American goalkeeper Alyssa NAEHER. Moments later, Seike's lofted pass into the box deflected off a defender and into the path of Moriya, whose shot from close range sailed over the crossbar.

The introduction of HAMANO Maika (Chelsea) at the start of the second half helped Japan improve their possession and create more chances. UEKI Riko (West Ham United) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) were also brought on in the 70th and 81st minutes respectively to give Japan more options in attack, but the stalemate persisted, and the match went into extra time.

The game continued to go back and forth in extra time, but it was in the first half of extra time that the deadlock was broken. In the second minute of additional time, USA's Trinity RODMAN latched onto a long diagonal feed from the centre circle, cut inside and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner of the Japanese net.

In a last-ditch bid for an equaliser, Japan brought on HAYASHI Honoka (West Ham United) and CHIBA Remina (Eintracht Frankfurt) in the second half of extra time, while TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) was moved up to play as a target-player but was unable to find the back of the net.

As a result, the USA won their spot in the semi-finals. Japan's bid for its first Olympic medal in 12 years, since London 2012, ended with a top-eight finish, the same as at the previous Games.

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
It's a shame the players' hard work didn't pay off, but I'm glad they fought on to the end. I thought it was a great team. The USA had played with almost the same players in the group stage, so we told the team they were likely to slow down in the second half. Our vision was to fight for the whole game and win it at the end. I thought we did a good job of eliminating their strengths, but we need to do a better job of creating attacking threats after we win the ball. There are many ways to play the game, but we need to diversify our strategy to have more options both in attack and defence. This Olympics has been a great opportunity for each player to grow and really work as a team towards a common goal.

DF #4 KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma/Italy)
To be honest, I am very disappointed. We were able to execute our game plan of denying our opponents' chances and creating chances for ourselves on the counterattack. The fact that we were able to keep the game scoreless for 90 minutes shows that our approach was effective. We were looking for chances to score, but we were also prepared to play through extra time and penalties. Our priority was to win the game at the end. However, they converted their big chance while we failed to do so. That is the way it is. I am truly gutted.

DF #13 KITAGAWA Hikaru (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
I knew the player I was marking was their key player. There were times when I was beaten, but as a team we were able to contain them. But I was completely beaten in that one play. It was tough going into extra time, but that could be said of everyone on the pitch, so I am really sorry that I gave her the space to capitalise. We've all worked together for a long time now and I'm disappointed that we didn't achieve our goal of winning a medal, especially as I haven't been able to help the team for a long time due to injury. The Olympic Games were my dream and the biggest stage of my career. It made me want to get stronger as a player.

MF #14 HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City/England)
We were able to defend the way we wanted to and create chances at the same time. As a team, we understood that if we can get one or two passes together after winning the ball, we can get some breathing space. It was really frustrating because we conceded from that one chance. It really reminded us of how difficult it is to get to the semi-finals. The intensity they showed at the end and how they capitalised on their few chances was the difference today. We were focused and defended well throughout the game. We had enough cover even when we conceded the goal. I think it is more important to look at how we got to that point than to focus on that one moment. We need to use this bitter experience to become stronger. I want to concentrate on becoming a player who can make a difference for the team.

Games of the XXXIII Olympiad/XVII Paralympic Games (Paris 2024)

Football Tournament: Thu. 25 July - Sat. 7 September 2024
Tournament information